Learning to play the guitar can be one of the most rewarding and enriching pursuits you can embark upon. However, many people make the assumption that learning the guitar is something that is extremely difficult and even an impossible undertaking for most. Is this really true? Is Guitar hard to learn? Let us find out.
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Why The Guitar Is Very Popular
There are very few musical instruments that are as popular as the guitar. It can be found around the world, and great guitarists keep coming up from all the different corners of the earth. If the guitar was a difficult instrument, it wouldn’t have such a large user base.
The other cool thing about the guitar is that, unlike many other instruments, people from all walks of life and from different age groups play the guitar. Even disabled people have found different ways to play the guitar.
All this points to one simple fact – the guitar is not hard to learn.
The Guitar Is Also The Most Used Instrument
Just take a look at the used market and search for musical instruments. You will soon realize that an overwhelming majority of used instruments are guitars. On closer examination, you will find that a good percentage of these are listed by people who have given up on their dream to learn the guitar.
This points to the other facet of learning guitar, which is that people give up on it far too soon. The guitar, like any other instrument, won’t feel very appealing during the first few days of the learning process. It will seem like too difficult a task. However, keep in mind that even the greatest guitarists out there went through this phase. It is all about persevering and being patient with it.
>>Also Read: Are Gibson Guitars Good?
Factors That Do Not Make Learning Guitar Difficult
A few common misconceptions about the guitar can make it seem as if the guitar is an incredibly difficult instrument to learn. So, it is very important to debunk these misconceptions first.
Age
There are a lucky few who get to learn to play the guitar from a very young age. This is the best time to learn pretty much anything. However, this isn’t a luxury everyone can enjoy. By the time a lot of people even think about learning to play the guitar, they are already well into adulthood. At this stage of life, it may seem as if it is too late for you to start.
This is not at all true, though. While older people will have to face a few challenges, especially with time management, it also has its advantages as it will be easier for you to grasp some of the more advanced concepts and techniques.
Physical Characteristics
Another common misconception is that your fingers have to be really long, and you need to have strong hands with thick skin. While this is partially true, it does not mean that you have to be born with monstrous fingers. The reality is that your hands and fingers will become strong on their own as you keep practicing on the guitar.
The length of the fingers is another huge debate. Here too, a lot of the common beliefs are unfounded and speculative. You can find great guitarists with all the different sizes and shapes of fingers you could think of. The great thing about the human body is that it learns to adapt, and both long and short fingers will have their shortcomings on the guitar initially. However, after a few weeks of playing, you will simply forget that this was ever a worry for you.
Financial Standing
Perhaps the coolest aspect of learning to play the guitar is that it is one of the most reasonably priced musical instruments out there. While you can spend exorbitant amounts of money on high-end guitars, as a beginner, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding something extremely affordable that is still decent enough to get you through the first couple of years of the learning process.
The used market further helps in this regard. Because of the large number of used guitars out there, it is never difficult to find a great deal.
Finally, there are charities that can help you get a guitar for free. You could even ask a guitarist friend to lend you a guitar if you do not have any money to spare for a guitar.
Upbringing
Another common concern many people have is that they need to come from a music-oriented family to be able to learn to play the guitar. This is again a huge misconception. While coming from a family that is also into music will help, it is not a necessity. Some of the greatest guitarists out there were born into the most non-musical families ever.
It is your individual interest and calling that matters.
Musical Taste
Your taste in music should not restrict you or hinder you from learning to play the guitar. It is such a versatile instrument that it can be used in a very wide range of musical genres. Even if you are into one of the few genres where the guitar is not generally used, you can still learn to play the guitar. Who knows? You could create an entirely new genre of music all by yourself.
>>Also Read: Are Fender Guitars Good?
Factors That Make Learning Guitar Difficult
It isn’t all sunshine and roses, or else everyone on earth would be a guitarist. It is a sad reality that a good part of aspiring guitarists give up on learning to play the guitar, and here are some of the obstacles you could encounter on your journey.
Not Starting
The worst thing you could do to yourself is not start at all. The guitar may not be your cup of tea, but you will never know for sure until you try it.
Lack Of Commitment
Just starting the learning process is not enough. There is no way to sugarcoat this, but the first few days will be difficult. Remembering all the finger positions will be hard, and your fingers, palms, and hands will hurt. You could develop cramps and even blisters. However, if you can hold one for the first few weeks, it will be an enjoyable and satisfying journey after that.
Lack Of Self-belief
There will be periods of self-doubt. You will feel as if learning to play the guitar is too high a mountain to climb. Do not give up. Keep at it, and soon it will all seem as easy as pie.
Why The Guitar Is Actually An Easy Instrument To Learn
Learning to play any musical instrument will be challenging in its own ways. However, the huge diversity among guitarists based on demographics, gender, race, culture, job profiles, etc., suggests that this is one of the easier instruments to learn. Here are some reasons that prove that this is actually true
- High-quality lessons are easily available
- Good quality instruments available at reasonable prices
- Looks really cool
- A large number of guitarists to get inspired by
- Not as physically demanding as some of the other instruments
Is Guitar Hard or Easy To Learn? – Final Thoughts!
If you have even the slightest inkling of learning to play the guitar, then you really should give it a try. As long as you are willing to grind it out for the first few weeks, you will start producing enough good results to keep yourself motivated to become a capable guitarist at the very least in just a few months.
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